Breast Cancer

About 10% of all cases of breast cancer are related to genetic predisposition or family history, with variances by country and ethnicity. The most common germline mutations associated with breast cancer are in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, with an average cumulative lifetime risk of about 70%. A high proportion of breast cancer cases might be attributed to pregnancy-associated factors, hormonal therapy, lifestyle factors (ie, obesity, physical inactivity, alcohol intake, low-fibre diet, and smoking), and other risk factors In high-income countries, more than a third of cases of breast cancer seem to be preventable through lifestyle changes.
Breast cancer is very heterogeneous, and clinically divided into three main subtypes by hormone receptor (ER and PR) and HER2 (ERBB2) status.

Despite being rare, breast cancer also affects men, in Portugal, about 1% of breast cancers are in men.
Over the years, there has been a continuous investigation: new data are discovered about its causes and new ways of preventing, detecting and treating. All work with the objective of improving the quality of life, chances of cure, and how to diminish the psychological and social burden of this disease.
Future research in breast cancer will focus not only on new drugs, but even more on the individualization of therapy for every single tumor in every single patient.